First Person Survey for: Maid Marion

Name Given at Birth: Lady Marion Marie Eleanor Fitzwater

Nicknames:  Maid Marion

Hometown or where you were born: Denby-upon-Trent, Derbyshire

Current Residence:  greatly enjoy a change in scenery, so am constantly changing my residence from Whitehall Palace to Sherwood Forest, and back again.

Age: 26

Class: Noble (I am, after all, cousin to our illustrious King Richard.)

What do you do, your main function in life/society: As ward of my dear cousin King Richard, I was intended to buy a good marriage to form an alliance for Richard and for England. As I refuse to be used as a bargaining tool and keep traipsing off to Sherwood (which my cousin hates, I assure you) I have taken it upon myself to obtain pardons from Richard for all the good men (and women) of Sherwood.

Have you ever gone skinny-dipping / do you know how to swim: Aye, indeed I can swim. There was little else to do in Denby (which is on the river Trent) as a child. My father taught me at a young age as a way to get exercise as a child (or to keep me out from under his feet, more likely). As for skinny-dipping, you wouldn't expect one to bathe with their clothes on would you?

Do you make fun of people: Not make fun, nay. Although I do enjoy to poke and prod those who occasionally deserve it. Little John and Will Scarlet usually seem to be the most deserving of any of my jests.

Favorite Color: I adore all shades of green. The dark emerald green of moss as it creeps up a tree trunk; the golden green of leaves beginning to change in autumn; the bright green of summertime grass blanketing the forest floor; not to mention that my dear Robin tends to only wear green, and anyone who has seen him drag himself out of the pond could not help but to have a greater appreciation for the color!

Have you ever committed or been convicted of a crime: That would depend upon your definition of a "crime". Many view it as a crime that I refuse to marry whomsoever my cousin chooses for me. Others find it criminal that I go traipsing off to Sherwood Forest whenever I so choose. Aside from these minor offenses, I have never done anything criminal, therefore could never have been convicted.

Closest friends/How did you meet: The single person I am the absolute closest to is my own dear Robin of Locksley. A few years ago, I was traveling north from London to Denby. Along the roadside, I kept hearing tales of the outlaw Robin Hood. I became intrigued by this man who seemed no more than a common highwayman, yat gave all he stole to the poor of Derbyshire. I resolved to meet this man who helped the tenants of my family's own lands to pay their taxes, and so detoured through Sherwood Forest. I felt certain that once in the forest I would not need to seek him out, that either he himself, or his men, would find ME out. My theory proved to be correct. I was indeed stopped by the woodsmen, who requested the contents of my purse. I refused and demanded to be taken to the head of their band. We arrived in a large wooded clearing where he and the rest of his men were roasting venison over a large bonfire. Robin himself leapt up to greet me and helped me to descend from my mount. He then escorted me to the fire and invited me, and my escort, to join them for dinner and the festivities following. We sat upon skins near the fire and spoke upon many topics. Once he discovered my relation to King Richard, he swore his unwavering devotion to my cousin (Robin is a tried and true Englishman and would do anything to keep an English king on the throne), and to myself. We wiled the evening hours away as his men competed in feats of arms for entertainment. When at last the firelight began to dwindle, we retired for the evening, Robin showing me to my own personal bower. The following morning, as I mounted my horse to depart for Denby, Robin approached bearing the pelt of a snow white wolf which he lifted to me, offering not only his devotion but also his protection. He refused to allow me to depart until I accepted an escort of his own me to accompany me and my already existing escort. I graciously accepted both the fur and the escort. He tenderly kissed my hand and siad he would anxiously await our next meeting (I promised to pass back through Sherwood on my way back to London). I spurred my horse forward then turned to catch another glimpse of him, and saw that he watched me ride away until I was out of sight.

One Pillow or two: When in London I myself have one pillow; the lady who shares my bed has the other. When in Sherwood, none. We make do with whatever we have.

Pets: Who needs a pet when you have Robin Hood, Little John and the rest of the woodsmen to look after? There is, however, a particular white stag who always circles the perimeter of our camp at sunrise. We have all adopted him and forsworn never to harm him.

Favorite Type of Music: Nothing is more enjoyable than sitting around the fires in the evening with a mug of ale or mead listening to the ballads of Allan a Dale.

Hobbies/Pastimes: I have always enjoyed archery (and have been known to best Robin a time or two) and have recently begun learning to use a quarterstaff in hopes that someday I will be able to best Little John.

Personal Hygiene: I bathe on a regular basis. I do love swimming in the pond, not to mention Robin sometimes finds it amusing to push me in as we pass by. Worry not, I get him back just as often.

Favorite Food: Venison roasted over a fire is incomparable! I enjoy all the fruits of the forest (nuts, berries, game birds), and can never seem to get enough cheese which I eat with everything. I've become so partial to a forest diet, that I request similar meals even in London.

Are your parents alive, do you get along with them: I have unfortunately lost both of them. As an only child, I was my father's pride and joy and spent every spare second by his side. He was quite a scholar and instructed me himself instead of hiring a tutor.

If your parents are dead, when and how did they die: My mother died while giving birth to me, so I never knew her. My dearest father was taken by the lung sickness when I was twelve years old. My cousin Richard then took me up as his charge and transferred me from Denby to London.

Favorite place to relax: There is a particular clearing in the woods in Sherwood that no one else seems to know about. I go there when I want to be alone or to practice with bow or quarterstaff.

Favorite Holy Day / Why: I adore Christmas above all others! It is such a time of great love and giving. It is a time when everyone seems to remember the teachings of our Lord and all people seem a bit more equal ("...for the meek shall inherit the earth..."). It is so wonderful to see such a diverse group of people come together in peace and love.

Favorite Drink: I am quite fond a hot mulled wine, although Friar Tuck can brew a mighty fine mug of ale.

What's your bedtime: I tend to retire whenever the fires begin to die down.

What, if anything, do you usually wear on your feet: In London, I am unfortunately stuck in very fine, but very uncomfortable slippers. In Sherwood, I wear half boots made from the softest deerskin.

Are you married or single: This is a tad tricky. I am single, though unavailable. I am to be married, but am not betrothed. Robin and I do have plans to marry, but life in the forest is too turbulent and uncertain at this time. Though I refuse to marry the man of King Richard's choice and am determined to marry for love, I will not marry without my cousin's blessing.

Do you have a family / who are they: I have the most illustrious family in the land; my cousin King Richard, his good lady wife Eleanor, my TWELVE little cousins. Though I am related to no one is Sherwood by blood, they have all become as dear a family to me as my cousins.

Favorite Entertainment: I love watching feats of arms. The woodsmen compete regularly trying to best each other. Everyone wants to beat Robin with the bow, and Little John with the quarterstaff.

Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: My father was quite an enthusiastic tutor, particularly in history. He passed this enthusiasm on to me. I am fascinated to see how history continually repeats itself, and wonder if we will ever break these perpetual cycles.

Least Favorite Subject in School or Chore growing up: I have always detested mathematics. I never saw any use for it, and always seemed to find some way to sidetrack my father during our lessons.

Favorite Sport: I love a good fencing match, closely followed by the joust.

Most Humiliating Moment: After I met Robin Hood for the first time and traveled on to Denby, the overseer of my family's lands learned of my jaunt into Sherwood. He escorted me straight back to London to my cousin. He told Richard, and the ENTIRE court, what I had done and went on and on about what a blight I was on my family's name, how I was willful, disobedient and not worthy to claim relation to the king. He demanded that I be married off immediately before no respectable gentleman would have me. All the while, the court stood behind me sneering and whispering to each other.

Proudest Moment: Same moment that I was most humiliated. Richard agreed that it was time for me to marry, but not because I was a blight. He scolded the overseer for treating me with so little respect, and though my behavior was so blatantly inappropriate, it did not warrant the charges leveled at my door. Richard started to speak to me of an appropriate husband, which is when I made a stand for myself. I told him I had no intention of marrying. I had not yet met a man that I loved as the King loves the Queen. I will settle for nothing less and will not be used as a bargaining tool or sold off to the highest bidder. I will marry ONLY for the truest of loves, or not at all. A small smirk began to grow on my cousin's face, and I turned and left the hall.

Craziest Person or silliest you know: That is a complete toss up between Robin and John. They are both constantly beating each other senseless trying to best the other and prove who is the better fighter. I have actually lost track of the number of black eyes I have seen them give each other.

What do you look for in the opposite sex: I look for honesty, loyalty, purpose, passion, compassion, generosity, strength, conviction, and understanding.

In our Hierarchical Society everybody has somebody "over" them, Who is your immediate "overlord" I am the ward of my good cousin Richard. It is to him and him alone that I answer, though sometimes I turn a deaf ear to his desires and requests.

Favorite Sport to watch: 

Do you remember your first kiss: Upon leaving court after my scolding I immediately traveled straight back to Sherwood (yes, willful and disobedient). I was so insanely angry at my lot as a woman and so elated by standing up for what I wanted (and also thrilled that Richard seemed more amused by me than offended) that i seemed to arrive in no time. Robin was shocked, but quite pleased to see me. He came running to my horse to lift me down and I, still quite emboldened from the events at court, kissed him there on the spot. Though I had told my cousin that I had not yet met the man that I truly loved, I knew in my heart that I had.

Do you keep in touch with your childhood friends: I still keep in touch with all of my cousins. We still see each other regularly at court, but do not keep up correspondence. No one seems to want to carry letters into Sherwood Forest!

Where is your favorite "Vacation" spot: My father took me on holiday to Paris when I was a child. I would love to return to that beautiful city and see all the sites he took me to. I feel that would somehow make me feel closer to him though he's been gone these fourteen years.

Have you ever been overseas: Aye indeed. As I said, on holiday to Paris.

Do you have Dirt/Mud floors or Stone: When in London my floors (well, my cousin's floors actually) are stone. In Sherwood they are obviously dirt with a layer of leaves, moss, and the like.

What is your bed made of:  In London, feathers (oh so comfy!); in Sherwood, a pallet of hides and cloaks.

How many people sleep in your bed: In London, myself and one other lady. In Sherwood, Robin was kind enough to have the men build me my own bower.

1. I am as fine an archer as Robin Hood himself.

2. Robin and I will not marry until every man in his band has been pardoned.

3. I prefer life in the forest to life at court.

4. I have an aversion to authority.

5. I have an aversion toward convention (women must marry who their father chooses, etc...)

6. I am a champion for the poor and meek of the earth.

7. I believe women should be knights of their own rescue.

8. I love love.

9. Though I love and adore my family, I have always felt a bit on the outside.

10. I am never happier than I am when sitting around the fire eating, drinking, singing; enjoying the simple pleasures of life, which I feel are the moments that make life worthwhile.